Patriots give G Michael Jordan a much-deserved promotion
Left guard Michael Jordan is being rewarded after a respectable start to the 2024 season for the Patriots.
The New England Patriots have needed offensive guard Michael Jordan more than anyone ever expected.
And Jordan has responded well, starting and playing every offensive snap at left guard in both of their first two games of the 2024 season, as incumbent starter Sidy Sow has been out due to an ankle injury. But Jordan was a practice squad elevation for those two games, and now the Patriots have announced that he’s been signed to the main roster.
Jordan improved upon both his run-blocking and pass-blocking from Week 1 to Week 2, as evidenced by a better Pro Football Focus grade in each category. He allowed one sack on Sunday against the Seahawks, and three total pressures in 62 pass-blocking snaps to begin the season. He’s been a little less impressive as a run-blocker, but looked sharper in his assignments against Seattle.
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He even saved the team from near-disaster when he recovered a Rhamondre Stevenson fumble at the goal line. Had the Patriots won the game, Jordan would be one of the game’s heroes.
“I just saw the ball and went for it,” Jordan said on the play.
Jordan made the final block necessary for Stevenson to barrel into the end zone for a fourth-quarter touchdown that put the Patriots up 20-17 at the time. In short, he was a net positive on Sunday.
Sow is once again on the Patriots injury report with the same ankle injury, listed as “did not participate” on Monday’s projected report. It’s highly unlikely Sow will be ready to return on a short week against the New York Jets, so it should be at least one more game with Jordan at left guard.
Since the Patriots haven’t placed Sow on injured reserve, there may be some hope internally that he could return in Week 4 at the San Francisco 49ers. But Jordan’s progress from Week 1 to Week 2 is a good sign for him, and for the Pats’ ability to take their time with Sow’s injury recovery.
Patriots make practice squad moves
In addition to signing Jordan to the main roster, the Patriots signed two new faces to the practice squad: rookie cornerback D.J. James (Auburn) and safety Mark Perry (TCU). The Patriots previously hosted James on a free-agent visit last week.
To make room for James and Perry, the Patriots released safety A.J. Thomas and linebacker Yvandy Rigby from the practice squad. They have an opening on the P-squad after adding Jordan to the main roster.
To make room for Jordan, it’s likely they’ll move linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to injured reserve due to a pectoral injury that’s expected to keep him out for extended time, possibly the rest of the season.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
Patriots Ups & Downs: Who stood out in a loss to the Seahawks?
DOWN: LT Vederian Lowe
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Pressure off the left edge was a problem all afternoon for the Patriots, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett mostly did a good-enough job to mitigate the damage. That was until he took a 9-yard sack in the fourth quarter on the play before the blocked field goal try. Lowe wasn’t the only player that allowed pressure on that play, but he was the most consistently troublesome offensive lineman out there.
UP: P Bryce Baringer
New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye (13) reacts with New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) in the third quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Photo Credit: Albert Cesare/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Baringer is off to a great start this season, one of the few Patriots to string together two strong performances. He averaged 57 yards per punt, with a long of 67, three pinned inside the 20-yard line, and only one touchback in six tries.
